Los Angeles, CA, March 3, 2005 — Los Angeles-based Jarrow Formulas’ has introduced its ALCA 500™ (Acetyl-L-Carnitine Arginate Dihydrochloride), a novel molecular combination of the amino acids Acetyl-L-Carnitine and L-Arginine.

L-Carnitine is an amino acid that vitally participates in the metabolism within brain, nerve, heart, liver and sperm cells.  The acetylated form known as Acetyl-L-Carnitine, is the form possessing the ability to pass the blood-brain barrier most effectively. As an antioxidant, Acetyl-L-Carnitine protects neurons from damage caused by superoxide radicals. Acetyl-L-Carnitine is involved in other aspects of neuronal metabolism because its molecular structure resembles the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Acetyl-L-Carnitine supplementation supports energy utilization by its effects on fatty acid metabolism in the mitochondria.

L-Arginine is utilized to produce nitric oxide and is a semi-essential amino acid synthesized by the body from ornithine. Arginine is important in bioenergetics because it is used by the body to produce creatine.

“Acetyl-l-carnitine arginate (ALCA) represents an advancement in the carnitine and arginine fields as this new dietary supplement offers potential benefits in affecting levels of nitric oxide over and above the traditional benefits of carnitine,” says Sid Shastri, Vice President of Product Development at Jarrow Formulas. “Jarrow Formulas' arginine was shown by University of Pennsylvania researchers to improve hemodynaic responses, as was published in the Journal of Nutrition in February of 2005. Now we will focus on this patented ALCA molecule. In fact, it is currently being clinically studied for its effects on fertility parameters. The collaboration with Sigma-tau is exciting, and this is highlighted by Sigma-tau's support of our desire to conduct clinical research on carnitine supplementation.”

 Ken Hassen, Ph.D and COO for Sigma-tau HealthScience, Inc headquartered in New York, NY, says, “Once again, Jarrow Formulas is at the forefront of nutritional intervention.” According to Hassen, the accumulated body of scientific literature shows that L-Carnitine precursors such as Glycine, Arginine, Taurine and Lysine are related to L-Carnitine’s metabolic performance.  “Unlike an intimate combination or blend (mixture) of the two nutrients – since this is both Arginine and Acetyl-L-Carnitine appearing in an integrated molecule – there is no disparity in content uniformity of the actives during blending, mixing, tableting or within gelatin capsules,” he explains.

Jarrow Formulas’ is a nutritional supplement formulator and marketer founded in 1977 and incorporated in 1988.  The company markets its products throughout the United States and internationally in more than 20 countries in Europe, Asia, Israel and Latin America.  The company offers a complete line of nutritional products that includes vitamins, minerals, probiotics, standardized herbal concentrates, amino acids, enzymes and enteral nutrition formulations.  Jarrow Formulas, Inc. is active in regulatory affairs, helping to maintain American’s rights to free access to dietary supplements. Its products are manufactured by Jarrow Industries Incorporated, a pharmaceutical quality facility located in Santa Fe Springs, CA. For more information, contact Mark Becker, Director, Advertising/Communications toll free at (800) 726-0886 or access the Jarrow Formulas Web site at www.Jarrow.com.

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Contact:
Mark Becker, Jarrow Formulas, Inc.
(800) 726-0886
becker@Jarrow.com